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Abstract

The study attempts to examine the management of higher education institutions in Kenya
and it explores how challenges facing universities can be dealt with an aim of keeping
up with contemporary trends of management and enhances quality and responsiveness.
The sample included two public and two private universities which were selected on the
basis of their proximity to Nairobi and availability of information. Twenty participants
from four universities constituted the sample. Four female and four male lecturers: four
deans: four chairmen/ heads of departments: four heads of Information Communication
and Technology (ICT) participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data.
A documentary and content analysis was done and a field study carried out on
management of higher education institutions out in March 2009.This paper explains the legal framework within which universities operate and it assesses how universities in Kenya are managed and the extent to which information technology is used as a tool for effective management of complex operations as necessitated by increasing populations. The study was guided by the following research questions:
1. How are universities in Kenya managed?
2. What are the challenges that universities face?
3. How can university management be changed to suit economic and social
changes?
The paper attempts to shed light on how higher education institutions can apply
corporate knowledge management practices and carry out management by results to
support every part of their mission. I argue that there is need for higher education
institution to focus on consistent and coherent practices in the systems and procedures
that are followed, which means that quality assurance should be undertaken in the context of the institutional strategic plan, these will assist in dealing with challenges and
constraints facing higher education institutions.